Silence Reveals Hidden Answers’ by Michael Anderson novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Jennifer Marie.

Three days later, and the taste of him is still the first thing I remember when I wake up.

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“Thanks.” I tell Tinka as she slams the trunk of her car shut on my last piece of white luggage. She pushes a wave of blonde hair out of her face and winks at me. A slow wink.

“Tinka, don’t.” I can feel my cheeks getting hot.

“I mean, I did not do anything,” she raises her hands in innocence before letting that slow, knowing wink happen all over again. Yeah, she’s winking because I made the catastrophic mistake of telling her everything about Harvey and I. The kiss that made me realize I’m shameless and apparently capable of catching feelings for my ex–best friend.

“Can you quickly tell me about how you wanted to kiss him again?” she chirps, leaning against the car.

“That’s it. Drive off.” I grab the handle of my carry–on and start hauling it toward the terminal doors. Then I point a finger at her. “And make sure to keep an eye on Jeremy in my apartment. If anything breaks, you pay for it. Since you gave him the keys and, like, my entire life’s information.”

Her smile drops into beautiful confusion.

W

The second I pull through the automatic doors; the airport chaos swallows me. The hum of announcements, the squeak of suitcases, a thousand strangers on a thousand missions. My phone buzzes and it’s a text from Alexa: Team’s already at security. Hurry.

Right. Security. That’s the ticket and passport checkpoint vortex. As I join the shuffling line, I take a deep breath, but it’s useless. My brain has a single, on–repeat channel: HarveyFM.

The kiss. That’s where we stopped three days ago, but it hasn’t stopped in my head. That kiss is the reason we haven’t spoken for three whole days. I didn’t go back to him for another color analysis session because, well… now I know what my ex–best friend tastes like. And he tastes good.

Good as in delicious. Good as in I–was–about–to–go–back–for–seconds good. Which is why I’m calling myself shameless. Self- awarded.

My hand remembers his heartbeat under my palm. I’ve read about that in, like, every fanfic ever, but feeling it for real? That’s a different universe. His chest was all hard planes and that thump–thump–thump beating just for me. And worse….way worse was the way his hands took over my hips.

In that moment I wanted him to turn me over like in 365 days. To spin me around, push me against the nearest wall, and just…take. Those are my deepest darkest desires and I wanted my best friend to bring it to life.

I didn’t

go there to test him, but Harvey absolutely passed. He definitely has feelings for me.

I close my eyes for a second and exhale. It’s all I’ve been thinking about since that morning. He hasn’t messaged me. I haven’t messaged him.

“Allow me.”

I turn to see Elio, Harvey’s butler, already reaching for the handle of my heaviest suitcase. My heart does a stupid leap and I quickly look around the crowd flowing around us, looking for a familiar set of broad shoulders, a certain messy–haired profile. But Harvey’s not here.

“Morning.” I say disappointed.

Elio starts loading my luggage onto a golden cart. I bite the inside of my cheek, hard, to kill the questions burning my

15:05 Tue, Feb 3

Chapter 8

tongue. Where is he? Did he send you? What did he say?

E55 vouchers

I also want to ask about Baxter and if Harvey’s in trouble for hitting him. Because if his parents saw that huge black bruise around his eye, only two weeks before the wedding?

it’s go

be causing a nuclear–level family meltdown.

The memory of Harvey’s punch replays is like a god of war decided to throw a lightning bolt. He was…. strong. A shiver runs through me that has nothing to do with the airport AC. The way his hands held me after, one on the small of my back, the other–mercy–gripping my ass to pull me closer… He was so strong. I didn’t want him to let go. I wanted him to—

“Ma’am?”

I blink, yanked back to the present. Elio is holding out a fresh boarding pass.

“Uh, sorry”

“Here, use this ticket instead so you can go fast in line.”

I take the crisp paper, not really understanding, but I just nod. “Okay. Thanks,”

“I’ll take your bags through checking.” He wheels the golden cart away.

I stand there for a second until I spot Flora’s wild wave from further down security. I hurry over, and she grabs my arm, pulling me into the line they’ve been saving a spot in.

“Morning, guys.”

“Morning. Princess Prescott.” Max teases, giving me a hug.

“Are we ready for Italy?” Alexa laughs.

“You mean seashells under my feet, stupidly good pasta, and a gorgeous view? Obviously,” Flora flips her hair.

Alexa and Flora start gossiping about Winnie Prescott while Brooke is on her phone. Max distracts me with new outfit ideas. on his iPad. My brain pretends to care, but honestly I’m thinking about Harvey’s silence. And his mouth. And the way time has dragged for three days straight.

When I reach the counter, I hand over my passport and the ticket Elio gave me. The attendant glances at it then at her coworker.

“Ma’am, right this way. Please. Your ticket is for first class.”

“First class?” I blink.

That’s when it hits me. This… this is what Elio handed me.

“Yes, this way.”

Behind me, Flora squeals so loudly half the terminal probably hears her. “Oh my God, she’s really the Prescott princess!”

My jaw hangs open, because–seriously? I thought Harvey and I were in the middle of our silent–treatment phase. But apparently he already set this up for me.

“See you guys.” I go into the VIP lane where I’m checked in and escorted to a waiting room.

Maybe, just maybe, Harvey is already in the waiting room. And when I say waiting room, I did not expect this insane paradise that smells like fresh–baked pastries and brewed espresso. There’s a whole spread of seafood on ice, lobsters, little jars of caviar, bottles of champagne sitting in frosty buckets, and acai bowls.

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Chapter 8

My stomach rumbles. Okay, maybe I should just grab something light-

“What are you doing here!?”

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I look up and see Nisha, standing a few feet away. She’s wearing a tight denim jumpsuit, huge gold hoop earrings, and swinging a small gold Versace bag. Behind her are two girls, one in a hot pink skirt and white top, the other in the exact same outfit. Are they aware they look like backup dancers who didn’t rehearse enough?

I smile. Well.. 1 attempt to smile. It feels like my face is glitching. I don’t like her. At all. But we’ll be working together, so I have to do that fake customer–service “I’m nice” thing.

“It’s an airport, sweety,”

“I know it’s an airport! This is Venice Airlines first class lounge. I know you’re an upcoming shot in your field, but not enough to pay for this. I guess we have your boyfriend to thank.”

She means Harvey. Obviously.

“Yeah.” I say, and turn my back on her. The moment her eyes aren’t on me, I roll mine. “An acai bowl, please.”

“Of course, ma’am. Choose your toppings.” the server says.

“Can I have an acai bowl too?” Nisha interrupts, shoving her hand out so her engagement ring sparkles directly into my

cornea.

Then she leans in to whisper. “Just because Baxter isn’t telling his parents how he got that black eye doesn’t mean your boyfriend gets a free pass.”

“Baxter said something diabolical. Harvey didn’t like that.”

Nisha tilts her head, smiling like a villain who moisturizes. “Weren’t you in the house to ride Harvey? Since he’s a Prescott… legitimately or illegitimately, whatever. Riding a Prescott’s dick is every girl’s dream.”

The server freezes mid–scooping. His face says Ma’am??!?

“Is something on my face?” Nisha asks him sharply.

“Chop chop!” one of her minions barks.

Then her eyes flick back to me. “So? Am I wrong?”

“Yes, sweetie.”

“Oh, so you and Harvey haven’t slept with each other yet? Don’t tell me you’re still waiting for Baxter.”

My face pales. How does she even know that? Did she piece it together at the reunion, or….

“Baxter told me. He said you used to follow him around Try to talk to him Were obsessed with him. You even confessed your… silly httle feelings to him on prom night. And he rejected you. You know, it’s not every day your wedding stylist is the same woman who wanted your man.”

I close my eyes, praying for patience because I’m this close to putting my acai bowl on her head

“Is that why you’re latching onto Harvey now? So you can get close to Baxter ag-

“I assure you, ma’am, nothing like that will ever happen. He is all yours. I’m here to make sure you look your best for your wedding day. As for the past…it’s in the past. Teenagers do embarrassing things. It means nothing now-“I stop myself. remembering that she and Baxter are in a contractual, friends–with–benefits situation.

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Chapter 8

Why is she acting like that’s not the case?

“Wait. I think Baxter said you two were in a contract. A friends–with–benefits situa-”

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“Shut up!” Nisha hisses, snapping to look behind her at her pink–clad friends, who are pretending not to listen. She turns back to me, face hard. “I swear, you repeat that one more time, and I’ll let Winny know it was Harvey who punched her golden son.”

She storms away with her acai.

*******

Six hours later,

Italy, Lake Como.

The air in Italy smells different. I can smell the distant salt from the sea. It’s a sensory punch after the recycled airplane air. I join the team in the arrival lane, hauling my carry–on to where the cars that will take us to the staycation are waiting.

That’s when I finally see Harvey.

Standing under the brilliant Italian summer sun that has turned his skin gold.

He uses one hand to push his windswept hair back as he talks intently with Elio. He’s wearing a linen shirt. The top buttons are undone, revealing his chest. The fabric is soft and loose, moving with the warm breeze. He looks… beautiful. Completely at ease and yet utterly in command. I’m frozen for a second, just watching, my breath caught in my throat.

And then, Baxter walks right into my view. Wearing gym clothes and laughing loudly with his jock friends from high school who, apparently, joined the trip. He’s got sunglasses on which means the bruise Harvey gave him must be bad.

He blocks my entire view so I try to tilt my head.

Baxter pauses, thinking he’s the center of my attention. I see his smirk, the way he licks his lips, all arrogant and sure.

That’s when I turn my back on him completely so he can see that I was definitely not looking. I spot Winny Prescott, his mom marching toward a luxury car while some poor staff sprints after her. She gets in and slams the door in his face.

I turn back to the team’s airport vehicle and my heart sinks.

It’s full. Everyone is packed inside like clothes in a suitcase you sit on to zip.

“Oh no.”

“You’ll have

to take another ride!” Flora wheezes from inside with her cheek pressed against the window.

“Another ride… from who?” I ask, slowly panicking.

“The family.” Alexa groans. “Max, YOU ARE ON MY HIP BONE–GET OFF.”

Nisha rolls her eyes and passes me with her pink army of minions.

Great. I am not asking Harvey. He hasn’t texted me in three days. I am on the brink of insanity because of that kiss and he’s giving me radio silence, so no…I’m not begging him for a car seat.

I’ll take a taxi. Or… walk to Lake Como. With all the luggage. Fine. Except I don’t even know the villa’s address. I’ll die here.

“Jennifer?” Beatrice, Harvey’s grandmother, elegant as always sees me. “You are not in a car yet?”

“It’s… full.” I explain.

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Chapter 8

M

My stomach rumbles. Okay, maybe I should just grab something light-

“What are you doing here!?”

31

55 vouchers

I look up and see Nisha, standing a few feet away. She’s wearing a tight denim jumpsuit, huge gold hoop earrings, and swinging a small gold Versace bag. Behind her are two girls, one in a hot pink skirt and white top, the other in the exact same outfit. Are they aware they look like backup dancers who didn’t rehearse enough?

I smile. Well… I attempt to smile. It feels like my face is glitching. I don’t like her. At all. But we’ll be working together, so I have to do that fake customer–service “I’m nice” thing.

“It’s an airport, sweety.”

“I know it’s an airport! This is Venice Airlines first class lounge. I know you’re an upcoming shot in your field, but not enough to pay for this. I guess we have your boyfriend to thank.”

She means Harvey. Obviously.

“Yeah.” I say, and turn my back on her. The moment her eyes aren’t on me, I roll mine. “An acai bowl, please.”

“Of course, ma’am. Choose your toppings.” the server says.

“Can I have an acai bowl too?” Nisha interrupts, shoving her hand out so her engagement ring sparkles directly into my

cornea.

Then she leans in to whisper. “Just because Baxter isn’t telling his parents how he got that black eye doesn’t mean your boyfriend gets a free pass.”

“Baxter said something diabolical. Harvey didn’t like that.‘

Nisha tilts her head, smiling like a villain who moisturizes. “Weren’t you in the house to ride Harvey? Since he’s a Prescott… legitimately or illegitimately, whatever. Riding a Prescott’s dick is every girl’s dream.”

The server freezes mid–scooping. His face says Ma’am??!?

“Is something on my face?” Nisha asks him sharply.

“Chop chop!” one of her minions barks.

Then her eyes flick back to me. “So? Am I wrong?”

“Yes, sweetie.”

“Oh, so you and Harvey haven’t slept with each other yet? Don’t tell me you’re still waiting for Baxter.”

My face pales. How does she even know that? Did she piece it together at the reunion, or….

“Baxter told me. He said you used to follow him around. Try to talk to him. Were obsessed with him. You even confessed your… silly little feelings to him on prom night. And he rejected you. You know, it’s not every day your wedding stylist is the same woman who wanted your man.”

I close my eyes, praying for patience because I’m this close to putting my acai bowl on her head.

“Is that why you’re latching onto Harvey now? So you can get close to Baxter ag-”

“I assure you, ma’am, nothing like that will ever happen. He is all yours. I’m here to make sure you look your best for your wedding day. As for the past…it’s in the past. Teenagers do embarrassing things. It means nothing now-” I stop myself, remembering that she and Baxter are in a contractual, friends–with–benefits situation.

15:05 Tue, Feb 3

Chapter 8

Why is she acting like that’s not the case?

“Wait. I think Baxter said you two were in a contract. A friends–with–benefits situa—”

55 vouchers

“Shut up!” Nisha hisses, snapping to look behind her at her pink–clad friends, who are pretending not to listen. She turns back to me, face hard. “I swear, you repeat that one more time, and I’ll let Winny know it was Harvey who punched her golden son.”

She storms away with her acai.

Six hours later,